Dell Precision 390: Solving Problems Troubleshooting Tips Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore Creating a Restore Point
Solving Problems Troubleshooting Tips Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore Creating a Restore Point: Dell Precision 390
Table of contents
- Notes, Notices, and Cautions Abbreviations and Acronyms
- Contents
- Finding Information What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- Setting Up Your Computer (Tower Orientation) Connect the keyboard and the mouse. Connect the modem or the network cable.
- Connect the monitor.
- For single- and dual-monitor capable cards with a single connector
- For dual-monitor capable cards with one DVI connector and one VGA connector For dual-monitor capable cards with two DVI connectors
- Connect the speakers. Connect the power cables and turn on the computer and monitor.
- Install additional software or devices. Setting Up Your Computer (Desktop Orientation) Connect the keyboard and the mouse.
- Connect the modem or the network cable. Connect the monitor.
- For single- and dual-monitor capable cards with a single connector
- For dual-monitor capable cards with one DVI connector and one VGA connector For dual-monitor capable cards with two DVI connectors
- Connect the speakers. Connect the power cables and turn on the computer and monitor. Install additional software or devices.
- About Your Computer Front View (Tower Orientation) 1 CD- or DVD-drive activity light
- 14 network link light The network light is on when the computer sends or receives data over a network
- Back View (Tower Orientation)
- Front View (Desktop Orientation) 6 IEEE 1394 connector (optional)
- 13 network link light The network light is on when the computer sends or receives data over a network
- Back View (Desktop Orientation)
- Back-Panel Connectors 3 link integrity light
- 11 keyboard connector If you have a standard keyboard, plug it into the purple keyboard connector.
- Inside View
- Cable Colors System Board Components
- 12 PCI-Express x1 card slot 24 processor connector (CPU) Locating Your User’s Guide
- To access the User’s Guide from your hard drive: To access your User’s Guide from the Dell Support website: Removing the Computer Cover
- Caring for Your Computer
- Solving Problems Troubleshooting Tips Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore Creating a Restore Point
- Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State Undoing the Last System Restore Enabling System Restore
- Using the Last Known Good Configuration Other Options to Help Resolve Additional Device or Software Conflicts Dell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
- Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities CD
- Before You Start Testing Beep Codes Code Cause
- Code Cause Error Messages Diagnostic Lights Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
- Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
- Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
- Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
- Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
- Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution Frequently Asked Questions How Do I... Solution Where to Find Additional Information
- How Do I... Solution Where to Find Additional Information

Solving Problems
Troubleshooting Tips
Perform the following checks when you troubleshoot your computer:
• If you added or removed a part before the problem started, review the installation procedures
and ensure that the part is correctly installed.
• If a peripheral device does not work, ensure that the device is properly connected.
• If an error message appears on the screen, write down the exact message. The message may help
technical support personnel diagnose and fix the problem(s).
• If an error message occurs in a program, see the program’s documentation.
• If the recommended action in the troubleshooting section is to see a section in your
User’s Guide
,
go to
support.dell.com
(on another computer if necessary) to access your
User’s Guide.
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
If a device is either not detected during the operating system setup or is detected but incorrectly configured,
you can use the Hardware Troubleshooter to resolve the incompatibility.
To resolve incompatibilities using the Hardware Troubleshooter:
1
Click the
Start
button and click
Help and Support
.
2
Ty p e
hardware troubleshooter
in the
Search
field and click the arrow to start the search.
3
Click
Hardware Troubleshooter
in the
Search Results
list.
4
In the
Hardware Troubleshooter
list, click
I need to resolve a hardware conflict on my computer
,
and click
Next
.
Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore
The Microsoft Windows XP operating system provides System Restore to allow you to return your computer
to an earlier operating state (without affecting data files) if changes to the hardware, software, or other
system settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating state. See the Windows Help and
Support Center (see "Finding Information" on page 5) for information about using System Restore.
NOTICE: Make regular backups of your data files. System Restore does not monitor your data files or recover
them.
Creating a Restore Point
1
Click the
Start
button and click
Help and Support
.
2
Click
System Restore
.
3
Follow the instructions on the screen.
32 Quick Reference Guide

